Parshat Balak

535 related texts · Page 6 of 60

King Balak hires Balaam to curse Israel, the talking donkey, and Balaam's blessings instead of curses. Numbers 22:2-25:9.

Samael's Legacy and Balaam

Kabbalah Tikkunei Zohar 101:24

Jewish mysticism often explores this very idea, the hiddenness of God, the hiddenness of ourselves. And sometimes, that hiddenness is tied to moments of judgment, moments when thin...

DemonsPatriarchsRepentanceHoly Land

Zepho in Battle and Balaam

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 1:447

We're talking about Zepho, a king who, with divine assistance, achieved a monumental victory. You'd think such an experience would cement his faith. But no. Despite God's help, Zep...

PatriarchsWisdomShabbat

Balaam's Transgression and Saul

Ginzberg Legends of the Jews 1:454

And that’s where the Legends of the Jews, compiled by Louis Ginzberg, comes in. It’s a treasure trove of stories, expanding on the biblical narrative in ways that are both fascinat...

JosephMosesWisdomEgypt

Wisdom of Balaam and Zepho

Book of Jasher Jasher 64

Chapter 64 of the Book of Jasher throws us right into one of those cycles. We're back in a world of ancient grudges and shifting alliances. Balaam, son of Beor – yes, that Balaam, ...

Noah & FloodPatriarchsJosephMoses

Midrash Tanchuma, Balak 4

Midrash Aggadah Midrash Tanchuma, Balak 4

(Numb. 22:4, cont.:) “Now Balak ben Zippor was king of Moab….” But was he not formerly a prince, as stated (in Josh. 13:21), “Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur, and Reba, princes of Sihon?”10Ac...

Midrash Tanchuma, Balak 5

Midrash Aggadah Midrash Tanchuma, Balak 5

(Numb. 22:7:) “So the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian went with [the tools for] divination in their hand,” for they brought in their hands all kinds of divining instruments...

Midrash Tanchuma, Balak 9

Midrash Aggadah Midrash Tanchuma, Balak 9

(Numb. 22:28:) “Then the Lord opened the mouth of the she-ass,” in order to make known to him that the mouth and the tongue are under His (i.e., God's) control, so that if he desir...

Midrash Tanchuma, Balak 13

Midrash Aggadah Midrash Tanchuma, Balak 13

(Numb. 23:11-14:) “And Balak said to Balaam, ‘What have you done to me; to curse….’ And Balaam answered and said, ‘Is it not that that which God places into my mouth….’ And Balak s...

Midrash Tanchuma, Balak 14

Midrash Aggadah Midrash Tanchuma, Balak 14

(Numb. 23:21:) “No one has beheld falsehood in Jacob […].” Balaam said, “He does not pay attention to the transgressions in their hands, He only pays attention to their merit.” (Nu...